More Than an Exhibition: Where
Art, Heritage, and Ancestral Wisdom Meet
MUKAKASA’s presence at 3daysofdesign is not simply a showcase - it’s an invitation to experience beauty as both a ritual and a form of self-care. Central to the experience is their stackable pottery, a concept that encourages visitors to build their own compositions at home. By playing with form and symmetry, guests can transform functional objects into sculptural expressions.
“We love playing with symmetry to contrast the handmade, irregular nature of the clay,” says Christine. “It adds a little magic to your home.”
This magic is not just aesthetic - it’s deeply human. Our brains are wired to respond to natural forms and harmonious patterns. Symmetry, rhythm, and material honesty activate the brain’s reward system, evoking a sense of calm, clarity, and joy. MUKAKASA’s pieces embody the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi: the beauty found in imperfection, authenticity, and the passage of time. Every subtle variation in the clay, every mark from the maker’s hand, invites us to embrace the quiet poetry of the imperfect and the handmade.
These timeless values are embedded in MUKAKASA’s design philosophy, offering more than decoration - they offer presence, grounding, and a sense of belonging in an often overstimulated world.
As American dancer Twyla Tharp said, “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.”
MUKAKASA, meaning "truly mine," is a name our grandparents gave to their firstborn son a deep-rooted declaration of love that we carry into every piece we create. This heritage is the soul of our brand.
MUKAKASA’s black pottery is a marvel of ancestral knowledge and natural beauty. Though called “black,” each piece holds a spectrum of earthy tones and iridescent magic. Fired in hand-built ovens using generational Ugandan techniques, the pottery undergoes a natural transformation known as oxidation.
The
magic:
The Black Pottery: Earthy
Alchemy Meets
Ancestral Wisdom
During firing, the heat and smoke from natural fuels interact with the clay’s minerals, creating stunning, unpredictable surface effects. Some pieces shimmer with iridescent rainbow-like hues, while others reveal soft, earthy streaks - no two are ever the same.
What Makes It Special:
• Fired at lower, variable temperatures for rich, deep black tones
• Completely natural - no glazes, no dyes, just earth and fire
• Each imperfection is a mark of its story and individuality
This pottery isn’t just handmade -it’s a tactile connection to earth, tradition, and timeless creativity.
The creation process for our pottery is a labor of love, requiring patience, skill, and dedication. Made in our Mukono workshop, each piece goes through months of preparation, from shaping on the potter's wheel to hand-painting and firing. Master Potter Byentaro Moses says, “Making pottery teaches you patience and keeps you physically fit.” Our collection encourages customers to create their own mini art installations, with stackable pottery pieces that become functional yet artistic totems in the home.
The New Luxury: Detoxing
Our Homes, One Object at a Time.
Our kitchens are meant to nourish us - yet many of the materials we use daily may do the opposite. Everyday items, especially those that come into contact with food and drink, can leach harmful substances over time. The long-term exposure to toxins - from chemical glazes, synthetic coatings, and packaging materials - has been linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and chronic illness.
In response, MUKAKASA has developed a collection of non-toxic, handcrafted drinkware made from natural Ugandan clay. Free from glazes and synthetic treatments, these pieces are created using ancestral methods that rely on nothing more than earth, water, and fire. The result is a functional, beautiful alternative designed to support health and restore purity to everyday rituals.
“This isn’t just about aesthetics or sustainability,” says Christine Mukakasa. “It’s about creating space for healthier choices - starting with what we touch, use, and consume every day.”
The Collection
Candlestick
New Launch
Matcha Chawan B
Matcha Kusenaoshi B
The Founders Behind the Vision
Born to a Ugandan father and Danish mother, sisters Christine Mukakasa and Elizabeth Okafor grew up between two cultures. They learned to embrace the tension and harmony of opposing traditions, becoming the very embodiment of cultural fusion.
Together, they founded MUKAKASA as a lifestyle brand that expresses their unique heritage through the AfriScandi aesthetic - a vibrant mix of Scandinavian minimalism and African richness, purpose, and soul.
Christine, a seasoned design director, and Elizabeth, a global commodities strategist, bring together their worlds to shape a brand that is both creatively inspired and globally minded.
